very simple, mainly little cupmarks surrounded by circles, sometimes with radiating lines.
Respond to the range of patterns in Figure 21.7 by using some of them to create a decorative pattern that might be used on fabric or to decorate a piece of pottery. Research the techniques you might use to carry out the project.
Create some drawings of natural or manmade forms using line techniques like hatching and cross-hatching to describe form and tone.
Artists and Artworks
The Early Bronze Age (2500–1500 BC) Architecture
Ceremonial sites made of circular earthen banks or standing stones and hilltop forts once thought to have been from the Iron Age are now believed to be Bronze Age structures, which continued in use into the Iron Age. One such ceremonial site is the Drombeg stone circle in Co. Cork (Fig. 21.8).
Stone carving was not used to decorate burial places but it is found on large stones in the landscape. Examples are found in many parts of the country, for example the rock art found at Derrynablaha, Co. Kerry (Fig. 21.9). Designs were
Figure 21.9 Rock art, Derrynablaha, Co. Kerry. Decorated Gold Objects
Tedavent Sun Discs The Tedavent Sun Discs date from about 2000 BC (Fig. 21.10).
l Form: Made from a sheet of gold beaten to less than a millimetre thick, they have been cut into perfect circles 11 cm in diameter.
l Function: Two holes near the centre of the discs suggests that they may have been sewn on to a belt or garment. They may have been status or symbolic objects. Gold is often associated with the sun in primitive cultures.
l Technique: The design was applied by the repoussé technique.
Figure 21.8 Drombeg stone circle, Co. Cork. 302 NEW APPRECIATING ART IRELAND AND ITS PLACE IN THE WIDER WORLD
